I'm not going to be around for a while but I'll try to catch up with your ops as soon as I can.
I'm not going to be around for a while but I'll try to catch up with your ops as soon as I can.
Member since:24.06.2002
Reviews:36
Members who trust:11
I don't alphabetise my record collection, but if I did you would find Abba beside Aerosmith, Sammy Davis Jnr beside Def Leopard and Oasis beside Donny Osmond. So, as you can see, it's quite difficult to "pigeon hole" my music taste - I like just about everything or at least I'll try just about any artist once. One genre you won't find much of is "boy band" music - OK so I do have a couple of Robbie Williams albums, but no Take That, Boyzone or (aaarrrggghhhh) Westlife. One of the latest boy bands is Blue and having heard, and liked, a couple of their singles I recently broke the habit of a lifetime and purchased their debut album "All Rise".
For those of you of have not yet heard of Blue, they were winners of the Best Newcomer Award at the Brits 2002. The members of the band fit into the formulaic "boy band" image - there's the very fit, athletic-looking one, the impossibly gorgeous (and doesn't he know it!) one, the slightly fragile, brooding, moody one and the other one. One main difference with Blue is that there aren't any "make-weights" - all four boys have excellent, complementing voices and each make a valuable contribution in every song. Another difference is the songs they sing are not typical of those churned out by others of their genre - a juicy blend of pop, funk, rap and R&B appeal as much to boys as girls and to young and old alike. (I had to buy another copy of the CD after my mother (72 years young) "borrowed" my first and refuses to give it back!)
Blue comprises Duncan James (22), Antony Costa (20), Lee Ryan (18) and Simon Webbe (22) who first met whilst auditioning for other bands. The cover for their debut album "All Rise" on the Virgin Innocent Records label boasts that this is a "fantastically mature debut album", "smooth,
slick and supersexy", and "perfect pop". The cover notes include lyrics to all the songs, together with individual and group "thank yous". There are some photographs of the band looking sultry (and a bit sulky, I thought!) and sexy which I am sure will appeal to their younger female fans - it certainly didn't put me off!
However, once you get past a certain age you realise that it doesn't matter what the singer looks like, it's the song that counts - so here's a run-down of the tracks on this album.
1 ** All Rise **
The first track on the album was also their first single. Released in 2001 it reached No 4 in the UK charts and is a great indication of what to expect on the rest of the album. This has a very catchy intro and a real R&B feel. You know after listening to this that Blue are more than just your run-of-the-mill boy band.
There is a rap section in the middle of the record which normally I would find a real turn-off, however in this case it complemented the rest of the record perfectly.
The lyrics are a bit strange and don't seem to make much sense to me - I think it's something to do with taking a former lover to Court, hence "All Rise" - however they fit the music perfectly.
2 ** Too Close **
Very sexy song with a funky disco beat! The track they used at their Virgin audition was to become Blue's first No 1 single in August 2001. Great female backing vocals - you just have to get off the sofa and dance!
Very, very sexy lyrics about dancing "too close" - should hopefully go over the heads of some of their younger fans.
3 ** This Temptation **
The first track on the album that I can actually imagine any other boy band singing. Still, it's another great dance track and one that will have you bopping around the sitting room (or is that just me!).
Good, catchy lyrics - "leave it just a little to imagination … never been good at this temptation" - you'll find yourself singing along.
4 ** If You Come Back **
The first ballad on the album was the third release from the album and their second number 1. Very soulful, this is also an excellent showcase for the group's vocal abilities with some good pop harmonies and a chorus you'll be humming all day. Totally addictive!
Typical lyrics of lost love - "I swear, if you come back in my life I'll be there till the end of time" - now how many times has someone said that to you?! (Yes, me neither!)
5 ** Fly By **
Another soulful offering with such a catchy, funky chorus. The fourth release from the album, this only got to No 6. I think it has a real Summery feel to it and always puts me in a good mood - another one for the dance floor.
Another set of lyrics I don't understand - "System up with the top down, got the city on lockdown, drive by in the low ride, hands high when we fly by" - all beyond me really. Still the lyrics fit the music well and you'll soon be singing along even if you don't know what you're singing about.
6 ** Bounce **
Very "poppy" track with a definite feel of Britney Spears. Essentially an album filler - and a good one at that - it becomes very repetitive towards the end with overly long instrumentals. Still great fun to dance to.
Typical "poppy" lyrics too - "rock you all night long".
7 **Long Time**
Another ballad and I find this one a bit slushy and monotonous. However, it bursts into life a bit with the chorus which is quite catchy with some good vocal harmonies and saves the record from becoming a bit dirge-like.
Slushy and monotonous lyrics too - "It's gonna be a long long long time" - this line is sung over 12 times - I gave up counting after that and nodded off!
8 **Make It Happen**
Back to another up-beat track, but one that is more "pop" than "R&B" and as such has too much of a "Westlife" feel to it for my liking. However, the more I listen to it the more it seems to be growing on me - another catchy chorus and good beat.
Very positive but limited lyrics - "Don't just talk, make it happen".
9 **Back To You**
The thumping baseline indicates Blue's attempt at a rock track. Definitely a mistake - their voices sound strained and the song goes nowhere.
The lyrics again bemoan lost love and don't seem to fit the music very well.
10 **Girl I'll Never Understand**
This is a great slushy ballad with an R&B beat - this is Blue back to their best. Definitely "Sunday morning chill out" music.
Again, lost love lyrics but they are perfect for the music - "I'm doing fine, but in my mind …"
11 **Back Someday**
This starts very strangely with electronic vocals like Cher has been using recently but soon moves into normal singing - another pop ballad with a catchy chorus which has a bit of a "Eurovision" feel to it (but not in a bad way!).
Lyrically, it's quite predictable - "When you're alone, I want you to know, I'll be back someday" - but they fit the music well.
12 **Best In Me**
This has a more acoustic and accapella feel to it with lots of finger clicking. Quite a slushy, relaxing, chill out end to the album, sung with great emotion.
Agreeable "love song" lyrics - "You bring out the best in my like no-one else can do, that's why I'm by your side, and that's why I love you."
**Overall**
Highly recommended up-beat debut album, bursting with catchy pop tunes, soulful ballads and funky, sexy tracks. Even the ballads don't slow the tempo down too much with catchy choruses and well sung harmonies. I wouldn't say that the album provides something for everyone but if you like fun tunes with a bit of a beat, good singing and uncomplicated lyrics this is definitely worth a try.
The total playing time of the album is 43 minutes 26 seconds, with virtually all the tracks about 3.5 minutes long. It cost me £12.99 at W H Smith although I'm sure you'll be able to pick it up more cheaply when places like Virgin and HMV have special offers.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
After three top five singles, two of which went straight in at number one, four-piece Blue ... more
release their debut albumAll Rise. Having heard "Too Close", "If You Come Back" and the fabulous "All Rise", the rest of the album doesn't offer many surprises. ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
After three top five singles, two of which went straight in at number one, four-piece Blue ... more
release their debut album All Rise. Having heard "Too Close", "If You Come Back" and the fabulous "All Rise", the rest of the album doesn't offer many surprises....
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Jul 1st, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
